Introduction


Baldwin Baldos is an OFW who arrived at Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on May 15, 2007. Just like many of compatriots working in this country, he 2. What is the purpose of coming to this country? Employment and financial stability 3. How do you describe the process of applying for job/immigration from the Philippines (or other country) to this country? Like everybody else, I went through an agency that process my papers. I was lucky that I only deal with them and not with the government offices that give adversity to those they consider or call modern day heroes. 4. How do you describe your first weeks in your new environment? When first came here in Riyadh it was summer. Very hot. The wind that hits my face feels same as hot air from a hair blower on high setting. Not all people can speak English so I am having difficulties communicating with locals. 5. What do you miss the Philippines the most? I missed those occasions like Christmas, fiesta, festival, etc. and of course being with love ones. 6. How do you spend your free time? Everyday after work I chat with my family. I contended to talk and see them even just for awhile, this is because of time deference. Watch movie and internet surfing. Watch 24 or TV patrol everyday. Praise and worship on my day off. 7. What do you like in your new country of residence? Money. Job security. Tax free. Locals have this great admiration on Filipinos ability and attitude. 8. What do you don’t like in your new country of residence? I could still feel discrimination. 9. How long have you stayed in your current country? 32 months 10. What food did you miss from the Philippines? Pork dishes. 11. What similarity did you see in your country and the Philippines? Government offices process and employee. You know what I mean. 12. How do you keep in touch with loved ones back home and how do you do it? Through Internet and phone. My family are always online, I could see them even they are asleep. 13. From your stay in this country what did you learn that you can apply in the Philippines? They are very religious (prays 5 times a day) and stick to what they believed in. 14. Describe your most unforgettable experience at work. My first experience crossing the runway. But I consider all experiences are equally memorable, what I like most is I have the chance to go anywhere in and out of the Kingdom. 15. When do you plan to go back to the Philippines? What do plan to do when you return? I’m planning 2nd quarter of this year. I will move my family from Tarlac to Davao. We have a new house. 16. What tips you can give to Filipinos who aspire to work abroad? The most important thing to remember always stay focus on the main reason why they have to leave the country. Many OFW been here for more that 10 years but when you ask them what they have back home. The common answer is, not much. We are working abroad because they still need us and we can still work for them. There comes a time it will end for what ever reason, most important is we are always ready to reintegrate and financially stable. 17. Other message you want to share to our readers? It is not easy to work with different kind of people and being away from the love ones. For those people who have family and relatives working abroad, always remember how and what they went through to earn the money that they have sent them. © Pinoy OFW 2008-2010